Duke fixes focus on bouncing back

DURHAM — Duke’s responses to losses this season have been swift and thoroughly dominating, a pair of blowout victories delivered by the whopping average margin of nearly 50 points.

And while the Blue Devils’ lesser level of competition certainly has been a factor in those situations, that still doesn’t bode well for Notre Dame on Monday night in Atlantic Coast Conference basketball.

“When we do lose, I think that lights a fire in us,” star forward Marvin Bagley III said Saturday, after Duke fell short against Virginia. “It kind of allows us to really lock back in. Not that we weren’t locked in before, but it gives us a chance to really focus more.”

Duke destroyed Evansville 104-40 last month and overwhelmed Pittsburgh 87-52 three weeks ago, bounce-back games during which the Blue Devils flexed their considerable muscle following surprising upset losses on the road.

What happened Saturday against Virginia didn’t register as any sort of shock, with the league-leading Cavaliers making winning plays to go ahead during the final five minutes and prevail 65-63, maintaining their unbeaten record in the ACC.

The loss, in a showdown of teams ranked among the top five, didn’t stir distressing emotions for Duke. Senior guard Grayson Allen called it an exceptional learning experience against an elite opponent, likening the tough-minded nature of the game to an NCAA Tournament setting.

Coach Mike Krzyzewski framed it as a valuable part of the journey for Bagley, forward Wendell Carter Jr. and guards Trevon Duval and Gary Trent Jr., the Blue Devils’ four freshman starters alongside Allen.

“You’re playing one of the best teams in the country, so you’ve got to be able to do it at that level,” Krzyzewski said, “and that’s what we have to keep learning. And we are learning. We’re getting better, but we didn’t have enough to win the game.

“It’s January 27th. We’re a hell of a lot better than we were on December 27th, and the league is going to make us even better as long as we stay healthy. So on February 27th, we hope to even be better.”

Notre Dame is trending the wrong way, having lost five straight games with standout forward Bonzie Colson sidelined by a broken foot and point guard Matt Farrell hobbled due to an ankle injury.

Duke’s lineup combinations and overall stamina are worth monitoring Monday night, after all five starters played the entirety of Saturday’s second half without subbing out. Bagley, Allen and Trent never exited the game, logging a full 40 minutes.

“I don’t think we got tired,” Allen said. “Guys are in great shape.”

Bagley said: “You’re going to win some and lose some. It’s not going to be a perfect season. We’ve got to learn from it and bounce back, continue to move on throughout the year together.”